Change your mindset about the gym

---

Do you want to go to the gym to work on your health, but you just can’t get out of your head? So many people are intimidated by the gym. Let me tell you a secret, everyone feels this way when they try something out of their comfort zone and this is totally normal. It’s like anything else in life. If you want to do something, you need to just go for it! That’s how you need to approach the gym. Just go and change your mindset about the gym.

Is this in your mind: the gym is intimidating, I don’t want to bulk up, I don’t know where to start, what if people laugh at me, I’m way out of shape, what’s the point? Let’s end the negativity! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let’s talk about these fears.

The gym is intimidating

Let’s talk about the gym. It’s a building with things to play with. Yes, you heard me, THINGS TO PLAY WITH. When you were a kid, you went to a playground or play “gym.” It had stuff to play with while you got stronger.

This is the same thing for adults. If you see people there that are intimidating to you, they probably will be so busy doing what they do, they won’t notice you.

Most people at the gym are welcoming to new people

It’s like a club they want you to join. I know as a woman, that I used to be intimidated by the men in the weight room, but they are so happy to see a woman there and I feel like they are more than welcoming! I’ve even had men come up to me and tell me the admire my drive and I can squat more than they can!

I don’t want to bulk up

Okay, this one kills me. Bulking up takes work, so much work!! You can’t bulk up by accident. This is like saying, “I don’t want to drive a car because I might become a NASCAR driver by accident.” Stop it. In order to bulk up, you have to eat extra calories, extra protein, lift heavy and have a plan. It doesn’t just happen. Please put this to bed.

I don’t know where to start

Honestly, this can be the hardest one to get over when you want to get started. I remember in college I wanted to lean out but didn’t know where to start.

In the weight room I watched other people did and copied it. I didn’t know what muscles I was working, if I was doing it correctly or if it did anything to help me. Fast forward a few years before my wedding and I wanted to lean out (a constant in my twenties) and I joined a gym.

Going to the gym for beginners can be scary

They had an orientation program where one of the trainers showed me around the weight room and how to use the machines. It helped me set a up a routine that I was comfortable with. Most gyms have an orientation with a trainer to show you how things work and help you get started.

These are great people that just want to help. I personally got a subscription to Oxygen magazine about thirteen years ago and it changed my life. I know my way around a weight room better than most and I am comfortable shaping my body by myself.

What if people laugh at me?

Again, most of the people at the gym love it when new people come in. Have a trainer show you around and you could even ask for advice on a beginning program. They would be happy to help.

Most people in a gym see it as a community always looking for more members. I know I personally enjoy seeing new people come to the gym to start working on their health.

I’m way out of shape, what’s the point?

This is hard to get over for some. You see the idea of getting healthy as this giant obstacle and you are overwhelmed. I get it. I’ve been there too. But the thing is, everyone has to start somewhere.

That super fit girl you see at the gym? Maybe she was very unhealthy three years ago but she turned it around. You have to break it down into steps. Think about a ladder. You can’t just be at the top, you have to take one step at a time. They are small steps but you eventually get to the top.

This is how you should view your fitness. Take small steps and start by meeting a trainer. Then come up with a plan that you can make work. Can you only workout 2 days a week? Just do that and see how you feel. Buy some cute workout gear to really make it fun!

Everyone’s journey is different. Some people will go in and will feel like they’ve been there for years and others will be uncomfortable until they find their group. You won’t know until you try so why not give it a chance?